An investigation by the Attorney General’s office has revealed that payment vouchers connected to suspended Public Prosecutor Director Christopher Pryde did not carry any approvals. On the last day of the tribunal examining allegations against Mr. Pryde for receiving unapproved payments, Principal Accounts Officer Paula Naitoka confirmed the findings. Although the inquiry was limited in scope, they managed to identify two payment vouchers dating back to January 2011, the year Mr. Pryde was appointed.
Mr. Naitoka acknowledged the time constraints that hampered their investigation but suggested that more records could exist regarding Mr. Pryde’s payment history from as far back as 2007. He emphasized that the Judicial Service Commission should have closely examined the clause allowing Pryde to execute these financial transactions, noting it lacked clarity on the amounts authorized.
Echoing these concerns, Auditor General Finau Nagera stated that further clarification regarding Mr. Pryde’s payroll should have been requested, as it is essential for tracking the amounts disbursed and understanding the processes behind them. Interestingly, she remarked that Mr. Pryde had been engaged in similar practices before stepping into the DPP office, yet this issue had not been addressed in Parliament at that time.
The tribunal has now heard from its last five witnesses, and the Fiji Law Society has until next Friday to present its submissions. Following these, the tribunal will compile its final report for submission to President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu by December 23.
This investigation sheds light on the importance of transparency and due diligence in public financial matters. While challenges and oversights in processes have surfaced, it could pave the way for reform and improvement in governance structures, ensuring greater accountability in the future.
In summary, the findings from this tribunal highlight significant lapses in approval processes connected to Mr. Pryde’s payments, the need for more robust oversight mechanisms in government financial dealings, and the commitment to holding public officials accountable for their actions, a promising step towards restoring public trust.
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